PROFILE
AFTER showing signs of improvement in 2022, Wycheproof-Narraport will be hoping increased midfield depth will return them to September action this season.
With Gedd Hommellhoff, Justin Bateson and Boe Bish all returning, the Demons already possess a midfield that is stacked with both class and quality.
That’s only going to further improve in 2023, with a number of recruits and returning players set to also add depth to Wycheproof-Narraport’s engine room.
Both Koby Hommellhoff and Jed Bish will return from injury-enforced layoffs, while Kristian McNichol (Moama) and Aaron Bateson (Eaglehawk) will also join the injured Demon pair in the midfield rotations.
While a deeper midfield is set to give Wycheproof-Narraport an extra layer of competitiveness, just how far it will take them is the big unknown, according to Demon coach Boe Bish.
“Our midfield will be undoubtedly be a big strength of ours this year,” Bish said.
“Our ruckman Lachy Van Schaik will also be better for last year and we’d expect to see some good improvement from him, having only returned to football last year after a couple of seasons away from the game.
“Having Koby (Hommellhoff) up and running again, who’s a genuine A-grade star, will help add to our depth – then with the other blokes we’ve picked up, we’ll have another one or two guys who can pinch hit through the middle.”
Also arriving at Wycheproof-Narraport this season is Josh Walsh and Christopher Cox, with Walsh expected to play key defence and Cox float either across half back or as a pressure forward.
But while the recruits have been kept to a minimum this season, Bish is hopeful that will be a positive for his side that finished fifth last season.
“We’ll go with a very similar structure and game style as last year,” Bish said.
“We had a lot of new faces and it took us a bit to gel last year, so hopefully we’ll have a bit more cohesion early in the year that will hold us in good stead.”
FROM THE COACH
“We’ll definitely be hoping to improve this season. We’re not setting huge expectations, but we’d like to play finals – that’s the carrot for us, having fallen short last year. If we can push ourselves up into a top four spot, then anything can happen from there.”
KEY PLAYER
Gedd Hommellhoff
One of the most dynamic midfielders in the North Central, Hommellhoff is primed to once again dominate out of the middle for the Demons in 2023. Won Wycheproof-Narraport’s best and fairest in his first year at the club in 2022.
INS & OUTS
INS
Kristian McNicol (Moama)
Aaron Bateson (Eaglehawk)
Christopher Cox (Golden Square)
Josh Walsh (Bears Lagoon-Serpentine)
Adal Zuk (Dunolly)
OUTS
Sam Ford
Lachie Longmire
Ryan Duncan
